Aging & Disability Commission - Minutes
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Via Zoom to Facebook Live
Regular Meeting February 15, 2022 – 7:00 pm
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
APPROVED
PRESENT
Robin Batchelder, Jan Beatty, Vic Bible,Joanne Cohen, Cheryl Cook, Anne EricksonSandee Fleet, Terry Henault,Mike Jennings, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Kate Robbins, Diana Yeisley, Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), and Amber Abbuhl (BOS liaison)
EXCUSED
Deb Glass, Shannon Leary, Susan Ray
CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Yeisley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS
An email was received from Lisa Heavner, former First Selectman, who had a phone call from a senior who was having difficulty with taxes for this year and was unaware of any tax relief programs available.Ms. Heavner sent Ms. Yeisley a number of links in hopes of the commission being able to consolidate information about services available to the community. Ms. Cook and Ms. Abbuhl suggested coordinating with Senior Center to ensure clear information gets out to community. Ms. Robbins suggested that the library might also mirror the information provided. Ms. Cook also suggested that the flyer with tax information sources be handed out at tax preparation appointments.
Mr. Jennings noted that he was glad to see the comment offered during Public Audience at the last meeting and hoped that members of the community would continue to offer input.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of January 18, 2022
Ms. Fleet moved to accept the minutes and Ms. Erickson seconded to approve the meeting minutes. Minutes were accepted with no changes. Ms. Leavitt-Smith abstained as she was absent at that meeting.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN (BOS) LIAISON REPORT
Ms. Abbuhl reported that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding is being discussed for many projects and requests will be handled as they work on budget process through March. She also noted a grant opportunity from the North Central Area Agency on Aging is available with deadline mid-March.
SENIOR CENTER REPORT
Ms. Marschall noted that fitness classes are in person in March and that in-person dining will begin in March. Masks are still required in Eno and all town buildings. Appointments are still available for tax preparation help; call the Senior Center for an appointment. Assistance is free through AARP, and they will file electronically. Ms. Abbuhl will post information where appropriate and Ms. Yeisley will also put on the commission website.
Ms. Marschall thanked the Board of Education for providing complimentary tickets to seniors for the High School production of Pippin and for again offering free tickets for Frozen in March. She noted that therapy dog Beau visited the Senior Center yesterday with many people happy to see him, and he will continue to visit. Ms. Yeisley noted that the Theatre Guild could open dress rehearsal of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in April to seniors and members of the disability community.
PROGRAMS
Fashion Show – Fall 2022: Ms. Yeisley asked for a commissioner to chair and coordinate with Favarh.
Souper Tuesday – Funding: Ms. Yeisley had nothing new to report.
Sensory Spring Fling: Ms. Yeisley noted it will be Thursday, April 21, 4:30-6:30, with an Earth Day tie-in. She and Ms. Marschall will plan the crafts and music at Eno.
OLD BUSINESS
Age Friendly Community Update: Ms. Beatty reported that she met with Ms. Abbuhl, Ms. Marschall, and Ms. Yeisley to discuss next steps in process to become AARP Age-Friendly Community and established a monthly meeting to move process forward. Ms. Abbuhl spoke with Ms. Capriola and indicated that the town is supportive of the designation process. Ms. Yeisley will send a letter updating community partners once Ms. Abbuhl verifies with the town. She also noted a graduate student intern for the town had coursework in survey design and analysis and he could help with initial steps. Ms. Abbuhl will also research resources for printing surveys.
Affordable Housing Update: Ms. Cook said that the grant has been received from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and a work group is meeting and educating themselves about what opportunities in housing are available. They plan to advise the town and public as soon as they are able.
Multi-Town Commission on Aging: Ms. Henault has nothing to report as she has heard nothing from the other towns. This item will be removed from the agenda going forward.
ARPA Grant Ask: Ms. Yeisley wrote to BOS asking that they allocate some of the funds to creating moveable accessible paths for events at PAC. Ms. Yeisley also asked if the Senior Center could be considered as part of the ARPA funds grant.
NEW BUSINESS
AARP Presentation on Smart Living –Spring 2022: Mr. Bible sent an email to AARP asking for April/May session. He will follow up by phone.
Disability Employment Resource List: Ms. Cook had nothing new to report.
Other info: Ms. Yeisley noted that CT SNAP-eligible households will receive emergency funds on February 18.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a request to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Bible and seconded by Ms. Robbins. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Next meeting: March 15, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Submitted by,
Jan Beatty
Secretary